Bonds Set For Men Charged In Beating

May 09, 1989

CHICAGO — Bond was set Monday for two men charged in the beating of James Letts, who was attacked over the weekend when he left his car to help a girl he thought he had hit, according to an official with the state`s attorney`s office.

The condition of Letts, who sustained head and facial injuries, was upgraded to fair Monday, a spokeswoman at Holy Cross Hospital said.

A $20,000 bond was set in Cook County Felony Court for James Wallace, 27, of 4916 W. 45th St., on charges of aggravated battery. A $7,500 bond was set in Cook County Misdeamenor Court for Kalanda Booker, 28, of 4844 N. Winthrop Ave., on charges of simple battery.

Booker is the father of the 4-year-old girl Letts believed he hit while driving in the 6400 block of South Talman Avenue early Sunday. She was not seriously injured, police and hospital officials said.

Officials with the city`s Commission on Human Relations are investigating whether the beating was racially motivated, said Brighton Park area Sgt. Donald Palmer. Letts is white. His attackers are black.

The state`s attorney`s office also is considering whether to bring additional charges of ethnic intimidation against Wallace, who is alleged to have yelled racial slurs at Letts while attacking him.